Patents by Inventor Raviv Erlich
Raviv Erlich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240090777Abstract: A head-mountable device can include a display, a facial interface attached to the display to contact a face of a user, and a sensor unit attached to the facial interface. The sensor unit can include a deformable pad that contacts a nasal region of the user, a channel defining an internal volume, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the deformable pad through the internal volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Nadav Osiroff, Oriel Y. Bergig, Javier Mendez, Raviv Erlich, Boris Gendelsman
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Patent number: 11880031Abstract: Mechanical apparatus includes a rotational assembly, including a frame and a gimbal, which is attached to the frame by first hinges disposed along a first axis and is configured to rotate on the first hinges about the first axis relative to the frame. A rotating element is attached to the gimbal by second hinges disposed along a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, and is configured to rotate on the second hinges about the second axis relative to the gimbal. One or more strain sensors are disposed on at least one of the first hinges and configured to provide a signal indicative of a rotation of the rotating element about the second axis relative to the gimbal. Control circuitry is configured to monitor the rotation of the rotating element about the second axis responsively to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nadav Osiroff, Noel Axelrod, Raviv Erlich
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Patent number: 11703940Abstract: A beam generating device includes a semiconductor substrate, having an optical passband. A first array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate and are configured to emit respective laser beams through the substrate at a wavelength within the passband. A second array of microlenses is formed on a second face of the semiconductor substrate in respective alignment with the VCSELs so as to transmit the laser beams generated by the VCSELs. The VCSELs are configured to be driven to emit the laser beams in predefined groups in order to change a characteristic of the laser beams.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich, Zafrir Mor
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Patent number: 11604347Abstract: A scanning device includes a planar scanning mirror disposed within a frame and having a reflective upper surface. A pair of flexures have respective first ends connected to the frame and respective second ends connected to the mirror at opposing ends of a rotational axis of the mirror. A rotor including a permanent magnet is disposed on the lower surface of the mirror. A stator includes first and second cores disposed in proximity to the rotor on opposing first and second sides of the rotational axis and first and second coils of wire wound respectively on the cores. A drive circuit drives the first and second coils with respective electrical currents including a first component selected so as to control a transverse displacement of the mirror and a second component selected so as to control a rotation of the mirror about the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Noel Axelrod, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
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Publication number: 20210048662Abstract: A scanning device includes a planar scanning mirror disposed within a frame and having a reflective upper surface. A pair of flexures have respective first ends connected to the frame and respective second ends connected to the mirror at opposing ends of a rotational axis of the mirror. A rotor including a permanent magnet is disposed on the lower surface of the mirror. A stator includes first and second cores disposed in proximity to the rotor on opposing first and second sides of the rotational axis and first and second coils of wire wound respectively on the cores. A drive circuit drives the first and second coils with respective electrical currents including a first component selected so as to control a transverse displacement of the mirror and a second component selected so as to control a rotation of the mirror about the rotational axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Noel Axelrod, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
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Publication number: 20200371585Abstract: A beam generating device includes a semiconductor substrate, having an optical passband. A first array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate and are configured to emit respective laser beams through the substrate at a wavelength within the passband. A second array of microlenses is formed on a second face of the semiconductor substrate in respective alignment with the VCSELs so as to transmit the laser beams generated by the VCSELs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich, Zafrir Mor
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Patent number: 10768411Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
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Patent number: 10644548Abstract: Scanning apparatus includes a rotor, including a permanent magnet, which is configured to rotate about an axis. A stator includes a magnetic core, which is configured to generate a static magnetic field in a vicinity of the rotor and defines an equilibrium angle of rotation of the rotor, at which the permanent magnet is aligned with the static component of the magnetic field. At least one coil is wound on the magnetic core so that when the coil driven with an AC electrical current at a selected frequency, the stator generate a time-alternating magnetic field, which causes the rotor to oscillate on the axis at the selected frequency about the equilibrium angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Noel Axelrod, Rashed Mahameed, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
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Publication number: 20190317314Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
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Publication number: 20190196579Abstract: A beam generating device includes a semiconductor substrate, having an optical passband. A first array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate and are configured to emit respective laser beams through the substrate at a wavelength within the passband. A second array of microlenses is formed on a second face of the semiconductor substrate in respective alignment with the VCSELs so as to transmit the laser beams generated by the VCSELs. The VCSELs are configured to be driven to emit the laser beams in predefined groups in order to change a characteristic of the laser beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich, Zafrir Mor
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Patent number: 10330921Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
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Patent number: 10261578Abstract: Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which is configured to emit at least one beam including a sequence of pulses of light toward a plurality of points in a scene. A receiver is configured to receive the light reflected from the scene and to generate an output indicative of a time of flight of the pulses to and from the points in the scene. A processor is coupled to process the output of the receiver so as to generate a 3D map of the scene, while controlling a power level of the pulses emitted by the transmitter responsively to a level of the output from the receiver in response to one or more previous pulses.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich
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Patent number: 10247827Abstract: Optical apparatus (64) includes a stator assembly (47), which includes a core (78, 90, 91) containing an air gap and one or more coils (80, 92, 94, 116, 120) including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire. A scanning mirror assembly (45, 83, 85, 130) includes a support structure (68), a base (72), which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror (46), which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base. At least one rotor (76, 132) includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit. A driver (82) is coupled to generate the electrical current in the one or more coils.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Sromin, Naftali Chayat, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson, Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Weber
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Publication number: 20180292537Abstract: Optical apparatus (64) includes a stator assembly (47), which includes a core (78, 90, 91) containing an air gap and one or more coils (80, 92, 94, 116, 120) including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire. A scanning mirror assembly (45, 83, 85, 130) includes a support structure (68), a base (72), which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror (46), which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base. At least one rotor (76, 132) includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit. A driver (82) is coupled to generate the electrical current in the one or more coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Alexander Sromin, Naftali Chayat, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson, Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Weber
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Patent number: 10018723Abstract: Optical apparatus (64) includes a stator assembly (47), which includes a core (78, 90, 91) containing an air gap and one or more coils (80, 92, 94, 116, 120) including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire. A scanning mirror assembly (45, 83, 85, 130) includes a support structure (68), a base (72), which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror (46), which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base. At least one rotor (76, 132) includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit. A driver (82) is coupled to generate the electrical current in the one or more coils.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Sromin, Naftali Chayat, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson, Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Weber
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Publication number: 20180120931Abstract: Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which is configured to emit at least one beam including a sequence of pulses of light toward a plurality of points in a scene. A receiver is configured to receive the light reflected from the scene and to generate an output indicative of a time of flight of the pulses to and from the points in the scene. A processor is coupled to process the output of the receiver so as to generate a 3D map of the scene, while controlling a power level of the pulses emitted by the transmitter responsively to a level of the output from the receiver in response to one or more previous pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich
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Patent number: 9898074Abstract: Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which emits a beam comprising pulses of light, and a scanner, which is configured to scan the beam, within a predefined scan range, over a scene. A receiver receives the light reflected from the scene and to generate an output indicative of a time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene. A processor is coupled to control the scanner so as to cause the beam to scan over a selected window within the scan range and to process the output of the receiver so as to generate a 3D map of a part of the scene that is within the selected window.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich
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Patent number: 9835853Abstract: A scanning device includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis. A first mirror, which has a first area, is mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis. A second mirror, which has a second area that is at least twice the first area, is also mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a third axis, which is parallel to the second axis, in synchronization with the first mirror.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Noel Axelrod, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
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Patent number: 9810258Abstract: A mechanical device includes a long, narrow element made of a rigid, elastic material. A rigid frame is configured to anchor at least one end of the element, which is attached to the frame, and to define a gap running longitudinally along the element between the beam and the frame, so that the element is free to move within the gap. A solid filler material, different from the rigid, elastic material, fills at least a part of the gap between the element and the frame so as to permit a first mode of movement of the element within the gap while inhibiting a different, second mode of movement.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
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Patent number: 9798135Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson